Opinion Piece: War or World Order? Putin's Ambitions Beyond a Fight
- By: Alexander Graef
- Est. Reading Time: 5 minutes
- Vladimir Putin
- Russia
- Ukraine
- NATO
- Europe
- Germany
- Kremlin
- Soviet Union
- Moscow
- Carsten Breuer
Europe grapples with potential war fears, yet ponders if Putin harbors an alternate objective - Europe apprehensive about potential conflict... Yet, is Putin aiming for something distinct from war?
Even in the face of European fears of a full-blown war, Putin's objectives may not be as straightforward as a military campaign. Let's take a closer look.
A New Global Order
Putin's aspirations stretch beyond the battlefield. He seeks to replace the post-WWII international system with a multipolar "Yalta-type" order, where major powers like Russia, the U.S., and China carve out global influence[2][4]. This would legitimize Russia's regional dominance and weaken NATO's collective security framework.
Divide and Conquer
By fueling U.S.-European tensions, particularly under a potential "America First" Trump administration, Putin intends to break Europe free from U.S. security guarantees and dismantle NATO's cohesion[3][4]. His ultimate goal? To neutralize Europe as an independent geopolitical player.
Arctic Empire
In the frozen north, Putin is setting his sights on the Northern Sea Route as a means to mitigate economic losses from EU sanctions and strengthen Russia's dominance in the High North[5]. The Arctic is vital for resource extraction and strategic military positioning in this chilly battlefield.
Unable,but not Defeated
Putin's true ambition for Ukraine extends beyond territorial gains. He aims to leave Ukraine disarmed and diplomatically isolated, preventing it from aligning with Western institutions like the EU or NATO[4]. This would cement Russia's veto over European security arrangements.
** authoritarian Axis**
A successful conquest of Ukraine would bolster autocratic regimes like China and Iran, empowering them to challenge Western norms and hasten a shift towards an interest-based global order[3][4]. In this brute-force world, might would outweigh the rules.
A Stronger Strongman
War serves as a double-edged sword for Putin, bolstering domestic authoritarianism in Russia. By justifying militarization and suppressing dissent, Putin secures support for his regime and reinforces his narrated image of Russia as a resurgent global power[1][3]. In other words, a favorable peace deal would solidify his domestic position.
In all, Putin is orchestrating a strategy to reposition Russia as the key player in a post-Western world. Through military aggression, economic coercion, and diplomatic realignments, he aims to reshape Europe's security architecture, creating a world in his own image. Time will tell if Putin's grand plan comes to fruition or crumbles like the icy landscape he seeks to conquer.
The European Union is committed to the development of a common defence policy to counteract Putin's ambitions, especially during war-and-conflicts, as it fears the dismantling of NATO's cohesion by Vladimir Putin's actions [2][4]. The NATO alliance, along with general news outlets, should closely monitor Putin's intentions and response to potential foreign policy changes in Europe, in light of the Kremlin's goal to weaken NATO and legitimize Russia's regional dominance [2][4]. Moreover, Putin's strategy to replace the post-WWII international system with a multipolar order, as mentioned in politics articles [2][4], highlights the need for global leaders to find consensus and establish strong multilateral alliances to challenge Putin's assertive maneuvers. Lastly, H2 readers must keep updated on Putin's geopolitical endeavors, including his ambitions in the Arctic and Ukraine, to fully grasp the impact of his vision for a post-Western world.
